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kplonk

No windows on ground floor

6 years ago

The street-facing side of the house we are building doesn't have any windows on the ground floor because of a staircase. Does this look ok? Any suggestions for improving curb appeal?

Exterior Oak St · More Info


Comments (17)

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Is the stair located below the second floor window on the lefft?


    If so, you could add a 2X2 window below the second floor windows which would give some relief to the large blank space.


    Is the porch roof going to effectively provide shelter from rain and snow for visitors?


    I'd be tempted to rotate the framing 90-degrees.

  • 6 years ago

    any surrounding homes in the neighborhood? Will it be cohesive?

  • 6 years ago

    I would be more concerned with the lack of natural light.

    kelly thanked lindacottonwood
  • 6 years ago

    I think it will look just fine as long as you put some nice bushes or something there to add some visual interest.

    kelly thanked Brittany Nelson
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    .Is it not possible to put a window on a stair landing? Show us a plan of the stair.

    kelly thanked User
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Is the porch roof going to effectively provide shelter from rain and snow for visitors?

    I wonder if it's possible to estimate the depth of the porch based on shadows?

    kelly thanked PPF.
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    If a window isn't possible, I'd put up a 10' trellis that's the width of the window above, and grow whatever non-invasive evergreen vine that works in your USDA hardiness zone. :-)

    kelly thanked One Devoted Dame
  • 6 years ago

    Not a pro, but I don’t find that exterior beautiful. I do think the ratio of window to wall is too low, and I also dislike the two roof slopes and the side-facing porch roof near the door. But I like the kinds of traditional houses that were built until 1950 or so, and I generally dislike modern styles, so if you have different tastes, feel free to disregard this comment.

    kelly thanked mononhemeter
  • 6 years ago

    I don't like it but what is code?

    kelly thanked robin0919
  • 6 years ago

    Since the OP isn't answering questions I would just say add a window or two.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Thanks for the suggestions. I realized that the angle of the house in the uploaded photo doesn't show the actual layout of the house, so I've uploaded a side view. The garage is in front, and is only 22 ft wide, which is the length of the staircase to the upper floor over the garage. In this side view, the roof line to the right of the garage door is where the front porch (6' wide) is located. The door to the left of the garage door is where the entrance to the stairs is located. This was designed to fit a narrow infill lot.

    Exterior Oak St · More Info


  • 6 years ago

    It's fine, you just need a good landscaping plan.

  • 6 years ago

    RES, a window on the first floor would show only the stairs going up behind it. I've thought about a window that has only drywall behind it, but no one else thinks a faux window is a good idea. Maybe a large trellis or plantings would fill the space where a window should be.

  • 6 years ago

    Just have the carpenter make fake "closed" shutters the same dimension as the upper-story window. Then of course landscaping- easy-Peasy

  • 6 years ago

    The "blank space" provides a wonderful backdrop for the landscaping to come. Make sure to take the mature size of plants into account so as not to "scrape" the siding.

  • 6 years ago

    It can't be all stairs; there has to be a landing somewhere. But unless you show the plan no one can help you.